Manchester United suffer defeat to PSV in Eindhoven

The Hague, Sep 16 (IANS) Manchester United started the group phase of the 2015-2016 Champions League season with a surprising 2-1 defeat to PSV in Eindhoven on Tuesday.

The match in Eindhoven meant the return of United coach Louis van Gaal in the Netherlands, while Manchester forward Memphis Depay had signed from PSV this summer, Xinhua news agency reported.

Van Gaal left captain Wayne Rooney out of the squad because of a hamstring injury and chose for new signing Anthony Martial up front. Depay and fellow Dutch international Daley Blind were also among the starters.

Luke Shaw started as leftback, but had to be carried off in the 24th minute already with a suspected broken leg. He got injured through a tackle by PSV defender Hector Moreno.

As Shaw was replaced by Marcos Rojo United seemed upset by the injury and needed some time to recover. They were awake in the 41st minute when Depay punished his former club.

He received a pass by his compatriot Blind, passed through the PSV defense and scored. Shortly after his goal Depay was close to his and United’s second goal but his shot went wide this time.

With the visitors not scoring a second goal the home-team managed to equalize. On the stroke of halftime Moreno headed in, deflected by Blind, a corner by Maxime Lestienne.

Twelve minutes into the second half PSV scored again. After a pass by Andres Guardado it was Lestienne who gave the cross again and Luciano Narsingh headed in.

With Juan Mata missing an opportunity for United and Luuk de Jong missing a chance for PSV the home-team managed to secure the victory and cause a major surprise.

The reigning Dutch champions, whose last appearance in the Champions League main tournament was in 2008/2009, when they finished bottom of their group, now top Group B after one match round together with VfL Wolfsburg. The latter club from Germany beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 on Tuesday.